Head of School's Blogs
What Counts
by Bill Gerritz 9 May, 2010
ISB parent Jennifer Misuta asked me to write about how ISB has improved this year. Since she always gives me good advice, I made a list. It turned out to be a long list. I started with student achievement results. We have been using the MAP tests for two years now and have new INFORM software to make more sense of these scores. I can report that at least in math and reading on average our students learn 30 to 50 percent each year than at "normal" schools .
So far, the class of 2010 has received a total of more than 500 university acceptances with an average of four per student. We are proud of all of our graduates . Their brain power, diligence and devotion to service means they can continue learning at a diverse range of universities. I thought you might be interested in knowing if highly selective universities want our students. Here is list of 2010 acceptances from the US News and World Report Top 25 U.S. National Universities. You will see a total of 43 acceptances. Not bad, when you consider that about 100 of graduates applied. *
|
University
|
Acceptances
|
| Brown University |
2
|
| Berkeley |
6
|
| UCLA |
7
|
| Carnegie Mellon University |
4
|
| Columbia University |
2
|
| Cornell University |
3
|
| Dartmouth College |
1
|
| Duke University |
1
|
| Johns Hopkins University |
1
|
| Northwestern University |
2
|
| University of Pennsylvania |
4
|
| Rice University |
1
|
| Stanford University |
3
|
| University of Virginia |
2
|
| Washington University |
2
|
| Yale University |
2
|
Here is list of 2010 acceptances from the US News and World Report Top 25 U.S. Liberal Arts Universities
|
University
|
Acceptances
|
| Carleton University |
1
|
| Claremont McKenna College/Scripps |
2
|
| Grinnell College |
1
|
| Harvey Mudd College |
1
|
| Pomona College |
1
|
| Washington and Lee University |
1
|
| Wellesley College |
1
|
| Wesleyan University |
3
|
|
Total Acceptances
|
12
|
Here is list of 2010 acceptances from the Economist/QSI Top 50 World universities.
|
University
|
Acceptances
|
| University of British Columbia |
1
|
| University of California at Berkeley |
6
|
| University of California at Davis |
9
|
| University of California at Irvine |
6
|
| University of California at Los Angeles |
7
|
| University of California at San Diego |
6
|
| University of California at Santa Barbara |
1
|
| University of Colorado |
1
|
| Columbia University |
2
|
| Cornell University |
3
|
| Duke University |
1
|
| University of Illinois |
18
|
| Johns Hopkins University |
1
|
| University College London |
3
|
| University of Manchester |
1
|
| University of Michigan |
10
|
| University of Minnesota |
2
|
| New York University |
4
|
| Northwestern University |
2
|
| Pennsylvania State University |
7
|
| University of Pennsylvania |
4
|
| University of Pittsburgh |
1
|
| University of Southern California |
4
|
| Stanford University |
3
|
| University of Texas |
4
|
| University of Toronto |
2
|
| Washington University |
2
|
| University of Washington |
8
|
| University of Wisconsin |
2
|
| Yale University |
2
|
|
Total Acceptances
|
123
|
If you look at the Economist/QSI top 50 world universities, you see at least 123 acceptances for this class. Of course some students received two or more acceptances. Nevertheless, we can be proud of the achievements of each of our 2010 graduates. Virtually all have been accepted to one or more universities, famous or not, where they will continue their learning.
Now I had a problem. I was only down to #1 on my list and time was running out. So I stopped. Instead I want to tell you what matters to me the most about my year at ISB.
Each year, I make several hundred visits to classrooms. This year, whenever possible during a visit, I talked with students using a protocol of questions. We all know that learning is a complex business. Each student is different. ISB's definition calls for a high level of achievement. We do not say a students have a learned something unless they can use it in novel situations, communicate it in multiple ways, connect it to other learning and reflect on their progress.
Not in every class and not for every student, but over and over I talked with hard working , articulate students. They explained to me in detail what they were learning and how they were learning it. They told me if it was difficult or easy learning. Many could tell me why they were learning it and how they could use it in the future. Now in my notes and memory , I have these stories that our wonderful students told me about their learning. I also have the memories of our teachers who care so much about our children and work their hardest so that each achieves his or her potential. So that is what counts the most for me.
* Notes:
1) these numbers will rise as students receive additional acceptances;
2) Some students were accepted at more than one of these universities
About the Author
Bill received his Ph.D. at UC Berkeley. He has written over 20 journal articles and has an abiding interest in learning improvement. Prior to ISB, Bill headed schools in Holland and South America. He and his wife Marcia have 3 sons.
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